Pablo was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, who walked every step of his life following a code of honor and integrity, but above all—loyalty to his wife and family. The devotion to his spouse, especially during her decreased mobility, was a testament to his deep love and commitment to her—and the loving fulfillment of his marriage vows taken on December 27, 1959.
One of Pablo’s greatest joys was being the loudest and proudest member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 1961. He wore his Aggie ring with such pride and was a devoted football fan to the end. He spent many hours studying Aggie Football recruiting news and clipping newspaper articles for other family members to keep up to date. He attended games and tailgated in the annual Maroon & White Game every spring, which became a cherished family tradition. Pablo had a second joy, and that was the game of golf. He not only taught his wife how to play, but he passed along his love and appreciation for this great sport to his children. He relished sharing time on the golf course, watching them compete in tournaments, and even traveling the country to spectate. As a grandfather, “Ra-Ra” as he was called, spending time with his two granddaughters brought him much joy, especially during the holidays.
Pablo is preceded in death by parents Pablo Ornelas, Sr. and Martina Cuellar Ornelas, and siblings, Lilia Ornelas Garcia; Francisco; Renato; Anselmo; Raquel Ornelas Lopez; Armando; and Angel Roel. He was the last surviving member of his generation of the Ornelas family. He is survived by his cherished wife of 61 years, Ofilia (de la Garza) Ornelas; daughter, Patricia Ornelas Henry; son, Paul Ornelas III; daughter, Elizabeth Ornelas Strong (Jeffrey); and granddaughters Sharon Alexandra and Lauren Nicole Strong. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and other loving relatives.
Upon graduation from Martin High School in Laredo, Texas, Pablo enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving proudly from 1951-1955, during the Korean War. Following his years of Air Force service, he used his GI Bill benefits to finance his path to higher education. After completing a pre-engineering Associate in Arts Degree at Laredo Junior College, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University, graduating in May 1961.
Pablo began his professional career working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Ft. Worth, Texas, working on both civil and military projects. In 1967, he moved his family to Austin, Texas to begin a long and distinguished career in the Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Government. In his many years of professional service, he greatly enjoyed civil projects supporting Native Americans in Arizona and New Mexico, traveling extensively to Flagstaff, Gallup and Roswell. One of his career highlights was working on the infrastructure of the 1980 Winter Olympics, hosted in Lake Placid, NY. He retired in 1990.
The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Lakeway, Texas for their compassionate care in Pablo’s final days, as well as the caregivers at Brookdale Lakeway Assisted Living.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at the Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home at 2620 S. Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas. The family will receive visitors from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., followed by the Recitation of the Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a memorial service immediately following. The family asks that you join them for a Reception following the service. Interment will take place at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas, at 1:15 p.m. on July 13, 2021.
